Last year's winner Dangerfield was ruled out of contention after being suspended for a dangerous tackle, but the prospect of Martin being outpolled was alive until round 23 when the gun Tiger polled three votes.

The shortest-priced favourite in Brownlow history, Martin becomes the sixth Tiger to win the AFL's most prestigious individual award.

It adds to a remarkable year for the Tigers, who will break a 35-year drought when they face Adelaide in Saturday's grand final.